Week Eight: Penn State at Michigan

JOE HERMITT, The Patriot-NewsUsually there's the team's logo here, but that "M" is just too uglyTwo
words that will forever haunt Penn State fans, "at Michigan;"and that's where the Nittany Lions find themselves this week , as they travel to Ann Arbor to take on the Wolverines. Michigan enters Saturday's matchup 5-2, with losses to Michigan State and Iowa.

Michigan is a very young team, and leading the way are the freshmen quarterbacks, Tate Forcier and Denard Robinson. Forcier apparently suffered a concussion two weeks ago against Iowa, which lead to him only playing one drive last week, as Michigan rolled over FCS opponent Delaware State.

Both Penn State and Michigan will come into this game with a few injuries. Penn State will be without running back Stephfon Green due to an ankle injury he suffered against Minnesota. Ako Poti will be starting at right tackle again, but he's done a very good job filling in thus far. Michigan has been linebacker Sean Lee's target game to return playing since week three when he tweaked his knee against Temple, and all signs point to Sean Lee playing fully this week.

Michigan center David Molk, who has missed the past four weeks with a broken foot, is expected to come back this week. This will lead to a lot of shuffling across the Michigan offensive line as David Moosman, who filled in for Molk at center, will move back to his original position at right guard. And currently the right tackle spot is considered up for grabs between Perry Dorrestein and Mark Huyge. Running back Carlos Brown, who has missed the past two weeks with a concussion, is set to return to action this week, which is good news for Michigan as senior running back Brandon Minor has a nagging ankle injury.

Though Penn State and Joe have always seemed to struggle in "The Big House," I firmly believe that Penn State's misfortune against Michigan left when Lloyd Carr retired. Though we're used to seeing Penn State take an ultra conservative approach when at Michigan, this isn't a Lloyd Carr team that has a pro style offense and good defense. Aside from defensive end Brandon Graham, who will demand a double team all day, this Michigan defense is not that good and Penn State's offense should not have a hard time moving the ball.

What the defense needs to do

-Thus far this season, I have predicted Penn State's defense to struggle twice,
against Illinois and Minnesota, and both times I was proven wrong. Yet I'm
going to go ahead and say it again this week, Penn State's defense will be
tested this week. Michigan has three receiving threats in receivers Matavious
Odoms and Darryl Stonum, and tight end Kevin Koger. Michigan also has two good
running backs in Carlos Brown and Brandon Minor, two different quarteracks, and
an experienced offensive line. The most important thing the defense needs to do
is get pressure on Forcier so he's forced to make bad decisions.

-Sean Lee couldn't be back for a better week. The linebackers will be huge in
containing all the options Michigan has. All three of them will have big
responsibilities, as Michigan will go with a lot of short passes, and both
quarterbacks have the ability to run. Last year Brandon Minor was absolutely killing
Penn State up the middle, and the linebackers need to prevent that from
happening again.

-The secondary has played far above my expectations all year, and this again
will be a test. They were up for it last week against Minnesota, thanks to A.J.
Wallace having the best game he's ever played at Penn State, and absolutely
shutting down Biletnikoff candidate, Eric Decker. Wallace will need to carry
that momentum with him into Ann Arbor, as he'll probably defend the speedy and shifty receiver
Martavious Odoms. Stephon Morris will see the field a lot, as Michigan
predominantly uses three receivers.

-Continue playing with intensity. Last week the whole defense played
with the most intensity I've seen so far this season. The whole defense
was hitting hard, and most importantly, not missing tackles. That will
need to be carried over into this week,
especially with all the athleticism that Michigan has.

What the offense needs to do

-Most importantly, the tight ends are going to have to have a big game,
and not through the air. Mickey Shuler and Andrew Quarless will have to
provide help for right
tackle Ako Poti, in defending Michigan defensive end, Brandon Graham.
Graham
cannot be like Adrian Clayborn for Iowa, it's imperative that the
offensive line not get man handled by him, to allow enough time for Daryll Clark
to make good decisions with the ball.

-Evan Royster needs to have a big day; he could easily go for 150+ against this
Michigan defense, and with Green being out, I expect him to do just that. That
said, Brandon Beachum has a big opportunity in front of him, and he could have
a heck of a game as well.

-Devon Smith and even Chaz Powell in the backfield. With Green being out this
game, there's a lot of speed lost in the back field, I'd not be surprised to
see Devon Smith, and maybe even Chaz Powell lining up in the backfield a couple
times.

-Not go conservative! This one's obviously on the coaches, but the offense has
no reason to go conservative against this Michigan defense. As I said earlier,
aside from Graham this defense is sub-par, and there's no reason to not to
utilize the playbook to its fullest.

Offensive player of the game

Evan Royster- Once Royster gets past Brandon Graham, he should have his
way with the rest of the Michigan defense. He had 174 yards against Michigan
last year, and that was with a healthy Stephfon Green frequently spelling him.
Royster could easily go for over 200 yards Saturday.
Defensive player of the game

Navorro Bowman- He's been all over the place the past few games, and
will have to do that again this week. With all the options Michigan has on
offense, an athletic linebacker like Bowman, should have a very productive
game.

Prediction

The game will be close for the first half, but I expect Penn State to
run away with it in the second half, reminiscent of last year's Michigan game.
Penn State:30-Michigan:13